WELCOME
The Institute of Masters of Wine is the home of exceptional expertise in the wine world. What started more than 65 years ago as an exam for the UK wine trade is now a globally recognised title collectively held by a worldwide family of Masters of Wine. Today, there are 417 MWs based in 30 countries, each making their own contribution to the world of wine. Becoming an MW means entering a unique wine community; one that brings enriching personal and professional opportunities, as well as lifelong friendships.
ABOUT US
The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction, and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. As well as running the MW study programme, our programme of worldwide events offers unparalleled opportunities to taste and learn. These tastings and seminars, including our international symposium, are open for anyone to attend – you don’t have to be a Master of Wine to join in.
FIND AN MW
The IMW’s directory of Masters of Wine allows you to search not just by name, but also by skills and specialisms. MWs are active all over the world and in all fields; MWs are winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. If you are looking for an MW in a particular country, expert comment on a specific style of wine, a speaker for your event, or experienced commercial advice, look no further.
THE MW EXAM
The MW exam tests the breadth and depth of a candidate’s theoretical knowledge and tasting skills in the art, science and business of wine. By passing the MW exam, you become a member of the IMW, gain the title Master of Wine and can use the initials MW after your name. The MW exam is a series of tasting and theory papers, plus an in-depth research project. You can find out about all stages of the exam, as well as downloading past papers, by clicking below.
Latest News

2022 MW exam questions and wines revealed
The Institute of Masters of Wine has published the questions from the 2022 MW exam, including the list of wines for the practical (tasting) part of the exam. The complete list of wines can be found here, along with the accompanying questions. The list also shows the...
Features

Regenerative Workshop Day with Justin Howard-Sneyd MW
Justin Howard-Sneyd MW is co-organising ‘Regenerative Viticulture Workshop Day’ on 5 September in Hampshire, UK. The one-day workshop will explore vineyard establishment, weed control, cover cropping, balancing soil indices, animal grazing and biodiversity with...

2022 Dom Pérignon Golden Vines® Master of Wine Scholarship winners announced
Liquid Icons – the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET – are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2022 Dom Pérignon Golden Vines® Master of Wine and Master...

Washington State Wine Commission joins the IMW international supporter community
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to announce Washington State Wine Commission as an IMW major supporter. WA Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State, which amounts to over 1,000 wineries making over 17M cases of...

MW student Tao Platon awarded the Lallemand bursary
Master of Wine student Tao Platón is the 2022 Lallemand bursary winner. Tao is a stage two MW student and receives £1,500 towards the cost of his studies. Lallemand is a leading producer of wine yeast and bacteria, and their nutrients and a distributor of oenological...

Jean-Louis Chave announced as the 2022 Winemakers’ Winemaker
Jean-Louis Chave has been honoured as the 2022 Winemakers’ Winemaker, at a ceremony during ProWein today (16 May 2022). Given by the Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business since 2011, the award recognises outstanding achievement in winemaking. Masters of...

Jane Masters MW and Martin Reyes MW to speak on sustainability and why certification matters
On 11 August, Jane Masters MW and Martin Reyes MW will be speaking in a roundtable discussion that focuses on the importance of sustainability certification programmes, how they’re shaping conversations in the wine industry, and why it’s critical for wineries to be...

Samantha Wall awarded 2022 SommFoundation Master of Wine scholarship
Stage two student Samantha Wall has been awarded the 2022 SommFoundation Master of Wine scholarship. She receives $3,000 to assist with the cost of her studies. Samantha is a French Wine Scholar through the Wine Scholar Guild, a Certified Wine Specialist through the...

Robert MacCulloch MW joins Hattingley Valley as head winemaker
English winery Hattingley Valley has appointed Robert MacCulloch MW, previously client winemaker for Hawke’s Bay Wine Company in New Zealand, to head up its winemaking team. In his new role at Hattingley Valley, Robert will be responsible for leading the team of...

Masters of Wine celebrate retirement of Jean-René Matignon
To celebrate the retirement of Jean-René Matignon, technical director of Château Pichon Baron, the jewel in the crown of principal IMW supporter AXA Millésimes's portfolio, a grand vertical tasting of every vintage he has made, from 1985 to 2021 was followed by a...
Latest News

2022 MW exam questions and wines revealed
The Institute of Masters of Wine has published the questions from the 2022 MW exam, including the list of wines for the practical (tasting) part of the exam. The complete list of wines can be found here, along with the accompanying questions. The list also shows the...

2022 Dom Pérignon Golden Vines® Master of Wine Scholarship winners announced
Liquid Icons – the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET – are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2022 Dom Pérignon Golden Vines® Master of Wine and Master...

MW student Tao Platon awarded the Lallemand bursary
Master of Wine student Tao Platón is the 2022 Lallemand bursary winner. Tao is a stage two MW student and receives £1,500 towards the cost of his studies. Lallemand is a leading producer of wine yeast and bacteria, and their nutrients and a distributor of oenological...

Washington State Wine Commission joins the IMW international supporter community
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to announce Washington State Wine Commission as an IMW major supporter. WA Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State, which amounts to over 1,000 wineries making over 17M cases of...
Features

Regenerative Workshop Day with Justin Howard-Sneyd MW
Justin Howard-Sneyd MW is co-organising ‘Regenerative Viticulture Workshop Day’ on 5 September in Hampshire, UK. The one-day workshop will explore vineyard establishment, weed control, cover cropping, balancing soil indices, animal grazing and biodiversity with...

Jane Masters MW and Martin Reyes MW to speak on sustainability and why certification matters
On 11 August, Jane Masters MW and Martin Reyes MW will be speaking in a roundtable discussion that focuses on the importance of sustainability certification programmes, how they’re shaping conversations in the wine industry, and why it’s critical for wineries to be...

Robert MacCulloch MW joins Hattingley Valley as head winemaker
English winery Hattingley Valley has appointed Robert MacCulloch MW, previously client winemaker for Hawke’s Bay Wine Company in New Zealand, to head up its winemaking team. In his new role at Hattingley Valley, Robert will be responsible for leading the team of...

Samantha Wall awarded 2022 SommFoundation Master of Wine scholarship
Stage two student Samantha Wall has been awarded the 2022 SommFoundation Master of Wine scholarship. She receives $3,000 to assist with the cost of her studies. Samantha is a French Wine Scholar through the Wine Scholar Guild, a Certified Wine Specialist through the...